It has been a great day, filled with hard labor, new
relationships, and sweet berries. Our groups again rolled out of bed in the wee
hours of the morning to go to the raspberry fields and Viva farms. For the
first-time berry pickers, it was a learning curve to pick quickly, carefully
and find berries that fit the standards required (not too ripe, no blemishes).
We learned our berries might be destined for Costco and Safeway, and we gained
physical knowledge of what it feels like to pick all morning and only bring in
$4 per large flat. The group at Viva Farms weeded for hours and made amazing
progress weeding lettuce crops for Salvador and his church. Tomorrow we switch
again and the group that originally visited the raspberry fields will again be
up before dawn.
Vacation Bible Camp was a blast today and approximately 30
kids and parents joined us to watch our youth skit of the Noah story, sing the
“Arky” song, and make a beautiful rainbow prism mobile. When we pulled up to
the park, there were kids waiting for us, wearing the shirts they made
yesterday. It was so evident how much our youth have already invested of
themselves in the kids of this community as they waved out the window and
yelled greetings to individual kids by name. Later this afternoon, some of the
kids happened to be near our camp and several of our youth invited these young
neighbors to play “Duck, Duck, Goose” and freeze tag during our limited and
sacred free-time. Our youth have demonstrated Christ-like love in giving of
themselves freely throughout the week.
We ended the evening with small group time, journal/alone
space, and Compline. Many youth are tired
(and so are the adults!) but we are all energized by the opportunity to
serve and the relationships that are being built. The St. Thomas and St.
Margaret’s youth groups have merged seamlessly and there are great bonds being
formed that will last a long time. We
look forward to more adventures tomorrow as we follow our normal routine and
notice how God is at work everywhere, in all kinds of bushes (raspberry or
otherwise)…not just flaming ones.
- Kate Rickard, Saint Margaret's Director of Youth Ministries
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